History of the World, Part 1 (4 Stars)

This film by Mel Brooks shows five episodes in the world's history:

• The Stone Age
• The Old Testament
• The Roman Empire
• The Spanish Inquisition
• The French Revolution

The stone age episode shows the origins of marriage, humour, art and music. That's an interesting mix. Are these the four pillars that support humanity, in Mel's view? If the word "love" is substituted for "marriage" I might agree. In part. These are the good things in life, the things that are intended to make our lives happy. It omits questions of philosophy, morality and religion. The stone age episode also shows a disrespect for death and those who have just died. Mel Brooks might be best known for his comedy, but he's pushing messages at the viewers below the surface.

So where does religion fit into The World According To Mel? We see that in the second episode. Moses comes down from the mountain with the 15 Commandments, then clumsily drops a stone tablet and only 10 are left. The message is clear: God has spoken to man, but man hasn't listened and only part of God's words remain.

And what about philosophy? In the Roman Empire episode we meet the philosopher Comicus, but his words are equated with comedy. This is a cynical opinion, but it's one that I am unable to argue against, however much I disagree with it. "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" is a valid Weltanschauung. The Roman emperor eats while listening to the philosopher's words. For a while he's entertained by philosophy, but as soon as it points the finger against him he sentences the philosopher to death. Once more, a serious message is hidden behind the comedy.

In the Spanish Inquisition episode we see the immovability of organised religion. The church only accepts the 10 commandments and rejects the other five. Jews are killed who do not accept the "true faith", but ironically they are killed by drowning in water, the same thing that would save them through baptism. On the contrary, the Christian nuns are lifted from the water by the Menorah, the holy Jewish lamp stand. "Salvation is from the Jews", John 4:22.

Finally, the French Revolution episode shows the absurdity of life. Those who are elevated can fall. Those who are low can be raised high. The guilty are rewarded while the innocent are punished. Philosophy is not explicitly mentioned in this episode, but the cruel sword of existentialism hangs over the heads of all. Just when it seems that there is no escape for our hero, the piss boy who has been reincarnated through the centuries (as Moses, Comicus, and the Grand Inquisitor) is saved by a deus ex machina. It's a miracle that can only happen in films. As the slave Josephus says, "Movies is magic".

This is a very enjoyable film, especially the musical sequence in the Spanish Inquisition. Mel Brooks writes such beautiful song and dance routines, I wish he would make a complete musical. The film is very funny as well, even though my review concentrates on its serious messages.